MSOL, MAOL, MBA, and Bachelor’s Degrees in Organizational Leadership in West Virginia

Win-win situations are trademarks of effective organizational leadership, which is why professionals with degrees in OL are so highly valued by companies and the public sector alike.

On the public-sector side, the state’s leadership was able to rally the troops around a common cause to the point of giving away over $1 billion.

On the private-sector side with Nucor, leadership in the company did the math and concluded that investing billions in a new West Virginia steel mill made the most financial sense; it was the most strategic decision to secure Nucor’s continued competitiveness on the world’s steel market stage.

Nucor projects profits, and West Virginia projects an increased tax base, more consumer spending power, enviable unemployment numbers, and a growing GDP. Everyone makes out, and it’s thanks to skilled leadership that got everyone to pull in the same direction.

What You Can Do in West Virginia With a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership

Visionary leaders backed by the skills developed in an organizational leadership degree program are never far from headlines detailing huge deals, and that goes double in West Virginia.

West Virginia’s $1 Billion Dollar Broadband Investment

Anytime a state develops a new mega site to attract multi-billion-dollar investments from global brands, one of the first things it does is to advertise nearby strategic infrastructure like interstate highways, ports, rail lines, and airports.

In today’s digital age high-speed broadband internet can be considered key infrastructure just like any other, and going into the future it’s importance is only going to grow.

Research shows that increased access to broadband leads to improved population growth, employment rates, job opportunities, property values, and rates of business formation. One broadband cost-benefit analysis shows a return of three to four dollars for every dollar invested.

That’s why the state’s governor announced a new plan that would invest a billion dollars into expanding broadband internet services to 200,000 homes and businesses throughout the state. The largest of its kind in history, funding comes from federal, state, and local governments, with private companies also contributing approximately $282 million in matching grants.

The underpinnings of this new investment didn’t just happen overnight; they’re the result of determined leadership.

On the government-side, planners invested two years into studying this expansion. Legislatures worked with the governor to secure funding and eliminate red tape.

Private internet service providers bid for contracts whose winners are chosen based on which company can do the job with the least amount of public subsidy.

This deal sees $1 billion going into West Virginia’s economy, and the economic improvements from this investment are forecast to be even greater.

$20,000 in Cash, Incentives to Move to West Virginia

Government leaders in West Virginia are keenly aware of the costs of population decline.

A loss in tax revenue, increased burdens on state programs for the elderly, and even the loss of a federal congressional seat are all in the cards for West Virginia. The state holds the unfortunate distinction of seeing the largest percentage of population decline in the nation according to the latest census figures.

Despite West Virginia’s uphill battle against incontrovertible demographics, signs of which have been apparent for over a decade, current political leaders know they will be the lightning rods no matter how much sugar coating they try and put on these bad-news headlines.

Which is why state leaders have rallied behind a public-private partnership initiative that offers a package worth $20k to remote workers who choose to relocate to the Mountain State.

Qualifying candidates are US citizens or Green Card holders who can verify a full-time remote work status. Newly arrived residents get $10k during their first year, $2k during their second year, along with a benefits package worth $8k that includes things like golf, white water rafting, skiing, and horseback riding.

Over the coming years the state hopes to attract more than 1,000 new residents through this Ascend West Virginia program, and so far, 86 people have been accepted out of thousands of applicants.

At the heart of Ascend are the governor of West Virginia, a West Virginian who’s recently returned to his home state from serving as a Silicon Valley CEO, and the founder of a charity that provides training and education for under-served counties in West Virginia and Ohio. This team of leaders was able to collectively secure legislative support, funding, and community sponsors to make Ascend West Virginia possible.

Good leadership knows how to make lemonade when life dishes out lemons, or in this case, turn declining demographics into positive headlines and the potential for growth.

Universities in West Virginia Offering Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Organizational Leadership

As broadband internet expands throughout West Virginia, the online options become more attractive for undergraduate and graduate OL programs offered by a wide range of schools. Whether you choose to stay in-state or find your ideal OL program offered via distance learning, you’re the only thing standing between yourself and an education program that will give you the tools you need to hit the ground running once you graduate.